What is the role of judges in DECA competitions?

Judges in DECA competitions play a crucial role in evaluating participant performance based on predefined criteria. This evaluation process ensures that the assessment is objective, consistent, and aligned with the competition's goals. Judges are typically experienced professionals who understand the industry and can provide an accurate assessment of how well participants demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and competencies in various scenarios.

By focusing on predefined criteria, judges are able to measure specific aspects of performance, such as strategy, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and overall presentation. This structured evaluation helps ensure that scores reflect each participant's abilities accurately and fairly.

In contrast, while providing feedback on presentation style can be an informal part of the judges' duties, it is not the primary role. Assisting participants with questions is generally not allowed during the competition, as it would disrupt the evaluation process. Additionally, creating the competition rules falls under the responsibilities of the event organizers, not the judges.